The PRM1Z8 is a small, compact, DC servo motorized 360° rotation mount and stage that accepts Ø1" optics and SM1-threaded components. The user can measure the angular displacement by using the Vernier dial in conjunction with the graduation marks that are marked on the rotating plate in 1° increments. This rotation stage/mount is also equipped with a home limit switch to facilitate automated rotation to the precise 0° position, allowing absolute angular positioning thereafter. The limit switch is designed to allow continuous rotation of the stage over multiple 360° cycles.

The KDC101 DC Servo Controller, sold separately below, is the ideal companion for achieving smooth, continuous motion that can be automated via the software interface. The stage/mount, controller, and KPS101 power supply are sold together with the Item #s KPRM1E and KPRM1E/M.

The PRM1Z8 is supplied with 19.6" (0.5 m) of cable. An 8 ft (2.5 m) extension cable (PAA632) is available separately.

Motor Specifications

Motor Type

DC Servo

Nominal Voltage

6 V

No Load Speed

6560 rpm

No Load Current

7.43 mA

Nominal Speed

1050 rpm

Nominal Torque (Maximum Continuous Torque)

1.26 mN•m

Nominal Current (Maximum Continuous Current)

0.156 A

Stall Torque

1.54 mN•m

Starting Current

0.184 A

Maximum Efficiency

65%

Terminal Resistance

32.7 Ω

Terminal Inductance

0.607 mH

Torque Constant

8.38 mN•m/A

Speed Constant

1140 rpm/V

Speed / Torque Gradient

4450 rpm/mN•m

Mechanical Time Constant

13.9 ms

Rotor Inertia

0.298 g•cm2

Stage Specifications

Translation and Motion Parameters

Travel Range

360° Continuous

Bidirectional Repeatabilitya

±0.1°

Backlashb

±0.3°

Max Rotation Velocity

25 deg/s

Min Achievable Incremental Motionc

25 arcsecond

Min Repeatable Incremental Motiond

0.03°

Percentage Accuracy

0.1%

Home Location Accuracy

±0.2°

Load Capacity

Horizontal On-Axis Load Capacity

1.5 kg (3.3 lbs)

Vertical On-Axis Load Capacity

0.5 kg (1.1 lbs)

Physical

Dimensions

131 mm x 23 mm x 83 mm(5.18" x 0.91" x 3.26")

Weight

0.21 kg (0.46 lb)

Cable Length

0.5 m (1.6 ft)

The average of the repeatability when a set position is approached from both directions.

When a stage is moved to a position and then returned to its original position, some motion is lost due to the lead screw mechanism. This loss is known as backlash.

The measured minimum incremental motion that the stage can achieve, also referred to as the minimum step size.

The minimum incremental motion that the stage can repeatedly achieve within its standard error.

Motor Connector Pin Out

The PRM1Z8 is supplied with 19.6" (0.5 m) of cable. An 8 ft (2.5 m) extension cable (PAA632) is available separately.

Pin

Description

Pin

Description

1

Ground (Limit and Vcc)

8

Reserved For Future Use

2

Reverse Limit

9

Ident Resistora

3

Forward Limit

10

5 V

4

Reserved For Future Use

11

Encoder Channel B

5

Motor (+)

12

Reserved For Future Use

6

Reserved For Future Use

13

Encoder Channel A

7

Motor (-)

14, 15

Reserved For Future Use

Used to identify the stage when it is connected to a Thorlabs controller

D-type Male

Post Mounting Options

Normally the PRM1Z8 is mounted horizontally. The stage can be fixed directly to the work surface using the counter-bored 1/4"-20 (M6) holes in the main body. For complete flexibility, the stage/mount can be mounted vertically using the 8-32 (M4) threaded holes in various locations (as shown below), including the option to mount in a vertical inclined orientation. When in the vertical orientation, the reduced thickness of the stage is extremely beneficial for optical path applications where space is limited.

Cage System Mounting

The PRM1Z8 can be aligned within a 30 mm cage system by using two LCP02 30 mm to 60 mm cage plate adapters, a CPR1 rotating cage segment plate, and three ER3 Cage Rods. This creates a motorized rotation mount within a rigid optical assembly. For more details on how the PRM1Z8 and CPR1 work together, please see the animation to the right.

PRM1Z8 Video

Rotation of the cage assembly using the PRM1Z8 can be restricted to a specific segment of the system by using the CPR1 rotating cage segment. For details on how to incorperate the PRM1Z8 within a 30 mm cage system, please see the image to the left.

Thorlabs offers two platforms to drive our wide range of motion controllers: our Kinesis® software package or the legacy APT™ (Advanced Positioning Technology) software package. Either package can be used to control devices in the Kinesis family, which covers a wide range of motion controllers ranging from small, low-powered, single-channel drivers (such as the K-Cubes™ and T-Cubes™) to high-power, multi-channel, modular 19" rack nanopositioning systems (the APT Rack System).

The Kinesis Software features .NET controls which can be used by 3rd party developers working in the latest C#, Visual Basic, LabVIEW™, or any .NET compatible languages to create custom applications. Low-level DLL libraries are included for applications not expected to use the .NET framework. A Central Sequence Manager supports integration and synchronization of all Thorlabs motion control hardware.

Kinesis GUI Screen

APT GUI Screen

Our legacy APT System Software platform offers ActiveX-based controls which can be used by 3rd party developers working on C#, Visual Basic, LabVIEW™, or any Active-X compatible languages to create custom applications and includes a simulator mode to assist in developing custom applications without requiring hardware.

By providing these common software platforms, Thorlabs has ensured that users can easily mix and match any of the Kinesis and APT controllers in a single application, while only having to learn a single set of software tools. In this way, it is perfectly feasible to combine any of the controllers from single-axis to multi-axis systems and control all from a single, PC-based unified software interface.

The software packages allow two methods of usage: graphical user interface (GUI) utilities for direct interaction with and control of the controllers 'out of the box', and a set of programming interfaces that allow custom-integrated positioning and alignment solutions to be easily programmed in the development language of choice.

A range of video tutorials is available to help explain our APT system software. These tutorials provide an overview of the software and the APT Config utility. Additionally, a tutorial video is available to explain how to select simulator mode within the software, which allows the user to experiment with the software without a controller connected. Please select the APT Tutorials tab above to view these videos, which are also available on the software CD included with the controllers.

Software

Kinesis Version 1.14.18

The Kinesis Software Package, which includes a GUI for control of Thorlabs' Kinesis and APT™ system controllers.

Also Available:

Communications Protocol

Software

APT Version 3.21.4

The APT Software Package, which includes a GUI for control of Thorlabs' APT™ and Kinesis system controllers.

Also Available:

Communications Protocol

Thorlabs' Kinesis® software features new .NET controls which can be used by third-party developers working in the latest C#, Visual Basic, LabVIEW™, or any .NET compatible languages to create custom applications.

C#This programming language is designed to allow multiple programming paradigms, or languages, to be used, thus allowing for complex problems to be solved in an easy or efficient manner. It encompasses typing, imperative, declarative, functional, generic, object-oriented, and component-oriented programming. By providing functionality with this common software platform, Thorlabs has ensured that users can easily mix and match any of the Kinesis controllers in a single application, while only having to learn a single set of software tools. In this way, it is perfectly feasible to combine any of the controllers from the low-powered, single-axis to the high-powered, multi-axis systems and control all from a single, PC-based unified software interface.

The Kinesis System Software allows two methods of usage: graphical user interface (GUI) utilities for direct interaction and control of the controllers 'out of the box', and a set of programming interfaces that allow custom-integrated positioning and alignment solutions to be easily programmed in the development language of choice.

For a collection of example projects that can be compiled and run to demonstrate the different ways in which developers can build on the Kinesis motion control libraries, click on the links below. Please note that a separate integrated development environment (IDE) (e.g., Microsoft Visual Studio) will be required to execute the Quick Start examples. The C# example projects can be executed using the included .NET controls in the Kinesis software package (see the Kinesis Software tab for details).

LabVIEWLabVIEW can be used to communicate with any Kinesis- or APT-based controller via .NET controls. In LabVIEW, you build a user interface, known as a front panel, with a set of tools and objects and then add code using graphical representations of functions to control the front panel objects. The LabVIEW tutorial, provided below, provides some information on using the .NET controls to create control GUIs for Kinesis- and APT-driven devices within LabVIEW. It includes an overview with basic information about using controllers in LabVIEW and explains the setup procedure that needs to be completed before using a LabVIEW GUI to operate a device.

These videos illustrate some of the basics of using the APT System Software from both a non-programming and a programming point of view. There are videos that illustrate usage of the supplied APT utilities that allow immediate control of the APT controllers out of the box. There are also a number of videos that explain the basics of programming custom software applications using Visual Basic, LabView and Visual C++. Watch the videos now to see what we mean.

Click to EnlargeFigure 1: An example of how to read a vernier scale. The red arrow indicates what is known as the pointer. Since the tick mark labeled 10 on the vernier scale aligns with one of the tick marks on the main scale, this vernier scale is reading 75.60 (in whatever units the tool measures).

Reading a Vernier Scale

Vernier scales are typically used to add precision to standard, evenly divided scales (such as the scale on Thorlabs’ rotation mounts). A vernier scale has found common use in many precision measurement tools, the most common being calipers and micrometers. The direct vernier scale uses two scales side-by-side: the main scale and the vernier scale. The vernier scale has a slightly smaller spacing between its tick marks (10% smaller than the main). Hence, the lines on the main scale will not line up with all the lines on the vernier scale. Only one line from the vernier scale will match well with one line of the main scale, and that is the trick to reading a vernier scale.

Figures 1 through 3 show a vernier scale system for three different situations. In each case, the scale on the left is the main scale, while the small scale on the right is the vernier scale. When reading a vernier scale, the main scale is used for the gross number, and the vernier scale gives the precision value. In this manner, a standard ruler or micrometer can become a precision tool.

The 0 on the vernier scale is the “pointer” (marked by a red arrow in Figs. 1 – 3) and will indicate the main scale reading. In Figure 1 we see the pointer is lined up directly with the 75.6 line. Notice that the only other vernier scale tick mark that lines up well with the main scale is 10. Since the vernier 0 lines up with the main scale’s 75.6, the reading from Figure 1 is 75.60 (in whatever units the tool measures in).

That is essentially all there is to reading a vernier scale. It's a very straightforward way of increasing the precision of a measurement tool. To expound, let’s look at Figure 2. Here we see that the pointer is no longer aligned with a scale line, instead it is slightly above 75.6, but below 75.7; thus the gross measurement is 75.6. The first vernier line that coincides with a main scale line is the 5, shown with a blue arrow. The vernier scale gives the final digit of precision; since the 5 is aligned to the main scale, the precision measurement for Figure 2 is 75.65.

Since the vernier scale is 10% smaller than the main scale, moving 1/10 of the main scale will align the next vernier marking. This asks the obvious question: what if the measurement is within the 1/10 precision of the vernier scale? Figure 3 shows just this. Again, the pointer line is in between 75.6 and 75.7, yielding the gross measurement of 75.6. If we look closely, we see that the vernier 7 (marked with a blue arrow) is very closely aligned to the main scale, giving a precision measurement of 75.67. However, the vernier 7 is very slightly above the main scale mark, and we can see that the vernier 8 (directly above 7) is slightly below its corresponding main scale mark. Hence, the scale on Figure 3 could be read as 75.673 ± 0.002. A reading error of about 0.002 would be appropriate for this tool.

As we've seen here, vernier sclaes add precision to a standard scale measurement. While it takes a bit of getting used to, with a little practice, reading these scales is fairly straightforward. All vernier scales, direct or retrograde, are read in the same fashion.

Click to EnlargeFigure 2: An Example of a vernier scale. The red arrow indicates the pointer and the blue arrow indicates the vernier line that matches the main scale. This scale reads 75.65.

Click to EnlargeFigure 3: An Example of a vernier scale. The red arrow indicates the pointer and the blue arrow indicates the vernier line that matches the main scale. This scale reads 75.67, but can be accurately read as 75.673 ± 0.002.

What is this device accuracy? Specs says that bidirectional repeatability, backlash, home location accuracy are 0.1, 0.3 and 0.2 degrees? Is this true? How do you achieve 25 arcsecond (=0.007 deg) incremental motion precision with that repeatability? Did you mean 0.1, 0.3, 0.2 mdeg? What is the encoder accuracy?

bhallewell
&nbsp(posted 2018-07-19 07:05:11.0)

Response from Ben at Thorlabs: Thank you for your question. The Minimum Achievable Motion is not a repeatable value - this spec would instead be the Minimum Repeatable Incremental Motion which is specced as 0.03°. The Minimum Achievable Incremental Motion will be the smallest possible jog that could be achieved being the a description of the possible lower limit of incremental motion. The calculated resolution based on the encoder resolution is 2 arcsec based on the encoder resolution which will output 1919.64 EncCounts/degree.

f..e.jones-16
&nbsp(posted 2017-08-22 14:02:35.067)

Dear Thorlabs
I am having difficulty with selecting the motor in the activeX control icon, when i select it and get the list of options, the selection for the motor is not there. I've attempted all varieties of the software and none of them allow me to select the motor controller option. I'm running the 32-bit LabVIEW on a 64-bit computer.

bhallewell
&nbsp(posted 2017-08-23 09:21:22.0)

Response from Ben at Thorlabs: This will likely be due to an incompatibility between the version of APT you've downloaded & the version of your OS or LabVIEW. I would recommend an uninstall of your current software & instead installing the 'APT 32-bit Software for 64-bit Windows' option from the 'APT Software' tab in the link below.
https://www.thorlabs.com/software_pages/ViewSoftwarePage.cfm?Code=Motion_Control
Please contact techsupport.uk@thorlabs.com if the problem persists.

dolerite
&nbsp(posted 2017-05-25 17:33:27.63)

Dear Manager, After Installed APT Software. I tried to Active X of APT to make a program with Visual C++ to control KDC101. But It is impossible to insert "Active X" in the dialogue box because "MGMotor Control" is not listed in the list of Active X. Please let me know how to insert "Active X" supplied by APT software in the Visual C++ program.

tcampbell
&nbsp(posted 2017-06-05 10:35:54.0)

You can find our video tutorials in the following link to clarify the steps for inserting the ActiveX control in your Visual C++ project.
https://www.thorlabs.com/tutorials/APTProgramming.cfm
If the Active X control doesn't exist in this, this may be due to installing a version of APT which isn't compatible with platform type of Visual Studio e.g. running 64-bit APT ActiveX controls within a 32-bit platform. A Tech Support representative has contacted you to assist you further.

samini
&nbsp(posted 2016-12-05 17:49:03.893)

I have PRM1/MZ7 (& TDC001) devices. OS of my computer is windows 7 (64-bit). I try to recognized those devices in "APT config", but it didn't. I check that my computer recognized the devices.
In the interface of APT config (stage tap), it did not show the S/Ns of those devices.
Without recognizing in APT config, I tried to execute vi (labview) program. In that case, it is worked but inproperly. Namely, it is recognized as other device such as linear stage. So I can't control the devices as I want.
How can I fixed this problem ?
And I also use Kinesis program. In this case, Kinesis program works properly. But, in this case, adding DLL process in vi program has problem. When I insert "Thorlabs.MotionControl.Controls.dll" in step of "Select .NET Control", some pop-up message is arised such as - version is not matched. Because version of my labview is 2011.
How can I properly control those devices in labview 2011 ?

bhallewell
&nbsp(posted 2016-12-15 11:58:14.0)

Response from Ben at Thorlabs: It may be worth checking the USB connection with the device in your OS device manager first to ensure the devices are connected successfully. I would advise ensuring that in APTConfig, simulator mode is un-checked & the dwell time is increased. It is good practise to check in APTUser if your devices are connected & working properly before running your LabVIEW program.
The error message that you are seeing maybe a result of the version of software you have downloaded. Please ensure this matches the type of LabVIEW you are running & that this is for a 64-bit OS.
I will contact you directly to make sure you're up & running.

alexander.hupfer
&nbsp(posted 2016-11-11 06:56:07.95)

Can this products be used in soft vacuum?

bhallewell
&nbsp(posted 2016-11-11 04:36:46.0)

Response from Ben at Thorlabs: This stage is not designed for use in a vacuum environment.

zachary.wach
&nbsp(posted 2016-09-26 12:29:04.777)

Can this product be utilized by LabVIEW?

bhallewell
&nbsp(posted 2016-09-27 05:06:53.0)

Response from Ben at Thorlabs: Hi Zachary - yes it can! Our free motion control software package called Kinesis can be found in the following link, along with a guide to making use of .NET framework controls within LabVIEW.
https://www.thorlabs.de/software_pages/ViewSoftwarePage.cfm?Code=Motion_Control

joos
&nbsp(posted 2016-08-22 09:23:00.17)

My PRM1Z8 turns forever when homing so I can't "home" my device. The homing parameters are correct and it used to work before. The hardware limit switch looks fine (the half-ball of the moving piece touchs the small needle of the fixed piece). Can the contact between ball and needle be rusted for not using the device in a long time ? Help would be appreciated. Thanks. Maxime Joos

bhallewell
&nbsp(posted 2016-08-23 03:11:06.0)

Response from Ben at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. This is most likely a fault with the limit switch assembly within the stage. I will contact you directly regarding repair of the device.

smee
&nbsp(posted 2015-10-09 12:24:41.037)

Hi, I'm not sure which software I should install: the APT Software or the Kinesis? Which one is "better" considering the system load i.e. less CPU/RAM-usage; needs to install less drivers; runs faster? My system is Win7-32bit. Thanks

bhallewell
&nbsp(posted 2015-10-09 09:58:07.0)

Response from Ben at Thorlabs: Thank you for your email. The answer here is Kinesis. This is our recently released software package which in facts utilises the same drivers & FTDI communication protocol as our APT software. Kinesis however does hold improved functionality such as an advanced move sequencer & being able to stop & re-establish communications with motion control devices during runtime.

cjacobs
&nbsp(posted 2015-03-06 11:10:59.677)

Referring my previous post regarding the stage identification working in APT but not in labview with our own cable. I have some new info.
We must have used an old pin diagram which does not have pin 9 (ident). Our cable has lines 1,2,3,5,7,10,11,13,15). It will be difficult to redo the cables.
Would it be possible to
a) force the labview driver to the PRM1Z8 bypassing the ident feature?
b) use the ident method used in APT
c) put a ident resistor inside the dsub connector between pin 9 and 1 on the driver side. What value to use? I measure ~3875 Ohm. How accurate must this resistor value be?
Please assist!

rcapehorn
&nbsp(posted 2015-03-10 01:04:57.0)

Response from Rob at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. I am sorry you are having issues using our product with your extension lead. As you have said, the issue is related to the ident resistor and the fact that you have not extended the pin 9 connection. I will email you directly with a solution.

cjacobs
&nbsp(posted 2015-03-06 08:24:25.623)

Hi, we developed our own little labview VI with the labview drivers provided. All worked fine with the PRM1Z8 connected directly to the cube driver.
Recently, we built our own extension cable with the DSUB pin-outs as provided in the manuals.
Using the thorlabs APT software, everything detects 100% and works as expected. However, if we use our labview program, the PRM1Z8 is detected as a linear stage Z606(B).
Any suggestion how to fix the problem?

user
&nbsp(posted 2014-05-26 14:42:47.89)

Hi!
Where can I download the software of the stage? Is there anything new? I am using aptuser 1.0.22 and for the config version 1.1.0
Is in a newer version the "bwait" function working? Many thanks for your help.
Best regards,
Cornelia

msoulby
&nbsp(posted 2014-05-27 09:46:58.0)

Response by Mike at Thorlabs: The software can be downloaded from the following location http://www.thorlabs.de/software_pages/ViewSoftwarePage.cfm?Code=APT this should install the latest software version. You should then run the APT firmware utility to update the firmware to the latest version. The bWait function does work correctly, if the bWait parameter is set to 'False', the method returns as soon as the moving sequence has been initiated. If bWait is set to 'True', then any move command returns only after the motors have finished homing. When a client application needs to perform a move sequence, it is more efficient programming practice to set bWait to 'False' and respond to the Move Complete event. This event driven approach allows a client application to service other tasks while the motors are moving. If you need any further help please provide us with an email address or contact us at techsupport.uk@thorlabs.com

cjacobs
&nbsp(posted 2014-04-16 19:19:55.35)

Please update the product overview to clearly state that this rotates the whole cage and not the optic inside the cage system. The current sentence "Four #4-40 holes are provided so that the PRM1Z8 can be incorporated into a cage system" is misleading. The true operation is only clear once you look at the detailed photos in the mounting tab or in the documents.
We bought this assuming it would rotate the optic inside the cage. Rotating the whole cage seem rather pointless. We probably would have bought it regardless as their is no alternative to automate rotation of an optic inside the cage - BUT it would have been nice to know this upfront!

msoulby
&nbsp(posted 2014-04-17 04:14:24.0)

Response from Mike at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback, you are correct the PRM1MZ8 is not cage compatible and we will update the website to reflect this. Please accept our apologies for any confusion caused. We are currently developing a fully 30mm cage compatible motorised rotation stage to fill this gap in our product range and we expect this to be released towards the end of the year.

myanakas
&nbsp(posted 2014-04-17 10:03:43.0)

Response from Mike at Thorlabs: Thank you for pointing out this problem with our presentation. I will work to make it more clear as to how this product works. Though it is true that this product will rotate the entire cage system and not just the optic, we do offer the CPR1 Rotating Cage Plate Segment (http://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=7075) which might help solve the problem you are having. This will allow the cage segment between the CPR1 and the PRM1Z8 to have full 360 degree rotation while keeping the rest of the cage system fixed. However, it should be noted that there are only 4-40 tapped holes on the front of the rotation mount, so the PRM1Z8 cannot be placed in the center of a cage system.

h.aguiar
&nbsp(posted 2014-04-16 11:12:59.943)

Is it possible to control this device through Matlab? Thanks in advance. Hilton

msoulby
&nbsp(posted 2014-04-17 04:07:55.0)

Response from Mike at Thorlabs: Yes it is possible to control this device through Matlab, I have contacted you directly with a short user guide on how to incorporate our motors into Matlab.

Arthur.Varkentin
&nbsp(posted 2014-02-13 09:54:16.463)

Is it possible to combine this mount (PRM1/MZ8) with the angle plate MSAP90/M?
My goal is to get a well defined arbitrary tilt angle for a sample which is located on the angle plate. The light goes from top to bottom.

msoulby
&nbsp(posted 2014-02-17 06:29:53.0)

Response from Mike at Thorlabs: The PRM1/MZ8 was primarily designed to hold 1” optics and SM1 threaded components. I have contacted you directly with a possible solution.

jason.hoelscher
&nbsp(posted 2014-01-21 16:25:58.573)

Do you have motorized rotation mounts which afford higher rotation speeds (say at least 360°/s)?

msoulby
&nbsp(posted 2014-01-21 10:32:41.0)

Response from Mike at Thorlabs: At this time we do not currently have a rotation stage that can operate at these speeds. However we are currently developing a new rotation stage that will use brushless DC motors. We are aiming to have a maximum rotation speed of 1080deg/s. We recently demonstrated a prototype of this stage at a tradeshow and expect the final release to happen within the next few months.

user
&nbsp(posted 2013-12-16 16:53:55.177)

Please can you tell me what temperature range the motor will work over?

msoulby
&nbsp(posted 2013-12-18 04:09:16.0)

Response from Mike at Thorlabs: We only recommend using the stage at ambient room temperatures. As it currently stands we do not test them nor have the ability to test them at temperatures outside this range. As a result we are unable to verify any operation at lower temperatures. However cooling down a stage to below the dew point will cause condensation to build up both on and inside the stage. This excessive moisture could potentially cause problems, and as outlined in the manual this should be avoided.
From manual:
“If this equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired. In particular, excessive moisture may impair operation. Spillage of fluid, such as sample solutions, should be avoided. If spillage does occur, clean up immediately using absorbent tissue. Do not allow spilled fluid to enter the internal mechanism.”

user
&nbsp(posted 2013-08-14 14:32:03.443)

I am currently trying to use the PRM1Z8 as a rotatable sample holder. Is it possible to constrict the rotation angle between two fixed values (i.e. 0° and 30°) or at least rule out full rotations when homing? I've tried to change the maximum and minimum position in the instrument settings but that doesn't seem to do anything.

pbui
&nbsp(posted 2013-08-20 18:11:00.0)

Response from Phong at Thorlabs: Thank you for your post. Unfortunately, APT does not feature the ability to limit the rotation angle between a specified range. However, you may be able to accomplish this in a third party programming environment such as LabVIEW. To avoid full rotations when homing, you can edit the Motor Drive settings that would determine which direction the stage would spin. You can also change the "Panel Display Rotation Move Mode" under the "Rotation Stages" tab to the Rotate Quickest setting. If you have any further questions, please contact techsupport@thorlabs.com

claudia.ruizdegalarretafanjul
&nbsp(posted 2013-08-01 11:42:55.853)

I am trying to work with PRM1Z8 and I am completely UNABLE to run the installation software from the DVD under Windows 8 (I can do it with other IOS): the DVD is not recognized at all by my PC. Please help?
Regards
Claudia

jlow
&nbsp(posted 2013-08-01 11:17:00.0)

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: We currently do not support Windows 8 yet. I apologize for this inconvenience.

kam233
&nbsp(posted 2013-05-16 16:44:57.6)

I'm working with PRM1Z8 and TDC001, trying to interface with Matlab. Is it necessary to have the Gauges Blockset in Simulink to control it? If not, do you have any examples of Activex control in Matlab? Should I be using Simulink at all? There aren't many examples or helpful tutorials online that I can find. Thank you.

jlow
&nbsp(posted 2013-05-21 15:22:00.0)

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: You don't need Simulink. We have a short tutorial for importing APT into Matlab at http://www.thorlabs.com/tutorials/Thorlabs_APT_MATLAB.docx.

dipankar.sarkar
&nbsp(posted 2013-05-08 06:15:29.13)

PRM1/MZ8E: is it possible to switch of/reduce the backlash movement? Thanks.

jlow
&nbsp(posted 2013-05-09 11:28:00.0)

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: You can change/turn off the backlash correction movement at the end of every move. This setting is designed to help reduce the natural backlash of the stage and ensure all positions are approached from one direction. This can be changed in the settings menu in APT User. I will contact you directly to provide a screenshot for the location of that setting.

ps2c11
&nbsp(posted 2013-03-06 04:35:01.02)

Hi, I need to oscillate sinusoidally between two angles as requested by "steve.biedrzycki". From Thorlabs response to his question I suspect you had a potential solution to this problem. Would you be able to pass this information on to me too?

cdaly
&nbsp(posted 2013-03-07 11:26:00.0)

Response from Chris at Thorlabs: Thank you for using our web feedback. It is not possible to move the stage at a non-constant velocity profile within the APT software without first ending a move to change the velocity. i have not come across any way in third party software like LabView that would all this to be done either.

teemu.hakala
&nbsp(posted 2013-02-11 14:12:19.25)

Would it be possible to have an adapter plate to the PRM1 rotator? Plate should have SM1 threaded hole in the middle and threads/holes for 30 and 60mm cage systems. This would then be mounted to the backside of the rotator using the existing mounting holes on PRM1. This adapter would allow eg. having a fixed polarizer on one side of the rotator and rotating retarder on the other side.

jlow
&nbsp(posted 2013-02-11 09:24:00.0)

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: This adapter is not something that we have at the moment but I do see it as being quite useful. I will get in contact with you directly and discuss about possibly making this as a custom for you.

bruno.ono
&nbsp(posted 2013-02-08 08:48:35.587)

I like to know why PRM1Z8 dont work with program Thorlabs APT USER. I updated the program and when tried to rotate the stage with APT USER, it do not rotates, but on the TDC cube 001, it work perfectly.
The computer recognize the machine in USB port.
thank you
Bruno

jlow
&nbsp(posted 2013-02-08 09:57:00.0)

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: I apologize for the issue you are having with the PRM1Z8 and TDC001. I will contact you directly to troubleshoot this issue.

tcohen
&nbsp(posted 2013-01-22 09:21:00.0)

Response from Tim at Thorlabs: We have tested the radiated emission for a TDC001 when used with a Z8 motor (used inside the PRM1Z8E). Initial scans performed in a semi-anechoic screened room at a distance of 3m were sufficiently below the limit line that it was not considered necessary to move to an open area test site. I will send you our findings.

olsonaj
&nbsp(posted 2013-01-14 14:58:44.337)

I called and talked with a rep about this, but wanted to confirm. I am hoping to put this about a meter away from an experiment which is sensitive to magnetic fields.
Can you measure the steady state and transient (while moving) magnetic fields from this device both radial and axially?
Thanks

jlow
&nbsp(posted 2012-10-03 11:09:00.0)

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: The “Ident Resistor” pin is used to identify certain Thorlabs stages that are connected to our controller. There’s no index pulse for the PRM1Z8. There is only one limit switch on the PRM1Z8 and it is triggered when a silvered half-ball on the moving world makes contact with a corresponding notch on the fixed world. The default settings will ignore the limit switch during normal operation, however it will become active when the motor is being homed.

user
&nbsp(posted 2012-09-28 17:50:31.0)

Can you tell me for what pin 9 "Ident Resistor" stands for?
Does the rotational stage encoder have an "index" pulse for a home position?
Thanks in advance.

tcohen
&nbsp(posted 2012-08-15 10:08:00.0)

Response from Tim at Thorlabs: Grounding issues can cause the order to matter. Due to this we recommend following the connection procedure as outlined in the controller manual. First, please ensure that you close any APT software. Connect the TDC001 to the PC and only connect the power afterwards. After this, you can configure your motor and stage in APTConfig. If you have any other difficulties, our technical support team can assist you directly at techsupport@thorlabs.com.

korea
&nbsp(posted 2012-08-14 10:32:15.0)

I tried to use APT configuration utility after connecting the controller to pc. In the 'stage' tab, followed by 'Motor' field doesn't give any serial number(It show only 'none').
Also,
When I click APT user it pops up an error window saying that "Failed to load application setting. nconfiguration system failed to initialize"
Pleae help me out this. Thanks in advance.

tcohen
&nbsp(posted 2012-06-12 14:02:00.0)

Response from Tim at Thorlabs: Example VI’s for integrating into LabVIEW using the recommended TDC001 controller can be found on the distribution disk as well as on our “Software and Support” tab at http://www.thorlabs.com/software_pages/ViewSoftwarePage.cfm?Code=APT. You can also follow along with our guide at http://www.thorlabs.com/images/TabImages/GuideToLabVIEWandAPT.pdf which explains how to start interfacing within LabVIEW. Information on all of the method controls can be found in the APT Server Help at your downloaded directly > Thorlabs > APT > Help > APT Server Help. I will contact you for further support.

tekavec
&nbsp(posted 2012-06-09 14:01:51.0)

Do you have any example LabView VI's that control the PRM1Z8? I know there are the videos that show a few things with ActiveX, just wondering if you have anything else that could help me out. I'm trying to integrate moving the rotation stage into a another Labview program that I have. Thanks.

tcohen
&nbsp(posted 2012-05-01 12:44:00.0)

Response from Tim at Thorlabs to Philipp: I will contact you to provide detailed troubleshooting instructions. For any others who may experience a similar issue: please first try changing the homing direction to forward in APT. If this does not work, please try changing the association to the PRM1/Z7 in “APT Config”, running the stage and switching back to the PRM1/Z8. If neither of these solve the problem, it is possible that the limit switch needs evaluation. Please contact us at techsupport@thorlabs.com for further troubleshooting.

philipp.bethge
&nbsp(posted 2012-05-01 17:35:52.0)

hi
I have exactly the same problem as anne.hildenbrand:
-->
Hi, I am using a rotation stage PRM1/MZ8E with a TDC001 controller. Since I used manually, I am having problems homing the stage. It rotates and never stop. I try with other TDCOO1 cubes and the problem is the same. Can you help me ? Thanks in adavance.
please contact me as well
cheers
philipp

james.beedell
&nbsp(posted 2012-04-12 12:31:23.0)

Hi, Please can you tell me what temperature range the motor will work over and how long the cable that connects it to the control box is? Are different lengths available?
Thanks.

tcohen
&nbsp(posted 2012-03-21 11:04:00.0)

Response from Tim at Thorlabs: Thank you for contacting us. We have not captured MTBF data on this product and your results will be dependent on both your definition (out of specification or failure) and the environment of use. For example, some of the things that could fail are the motor, bearings and gearing. The bearings will depend on the duty cycle as well as the environment and the gearing wear will be dependent on load. I have contacted you to discuss your use and further discuss the MTBF.

jeulin
&nbsp(posted 2012-03-16 03:35:54.0)

Hi. What is the MTBF of the stage PRM1/MZ8?

tcohen
&nbsp(posted 2012-02-29 10:15:00.0)

Response from Tim at Thorlabs to Anne: Thank you for your feedback. This is either due to the homing settings or the physical limit switch. I have contacted you directly for troubleshooting.

anne.hildenbrand
&nbsp(posted 2012-02-28 09:06:18.0)

Hi, I am using a rotation stage PRM1/MZ8E with a TDC001 controller. Since I used manually, I am having problems homing the stage. It rotates and never stop. I try with other TDCOO1 cubes and the problem is the same. Can you help me ?
Thanks in adavance.

bdada
&nbsp(posted 2011-06-20 17:31:00.0)

Response from Buki at Thorlabs:
Thank you very much for your feedback. There are a couple things that you can check. Does the second computer have the APT software package installed completely? Does the hardware show up in the windows device manager? In the APT config setting of the second computer, make sure that you uncheck the "enable simulation mode". If you use a different PRM1-Z7 on the second computer, was the serial number set correctly in your program?
Please contact TechSupport@thorlabs.com if you need to continue troubleshooting this issue.

greg
&nbsp(posted 2011-06-20 10:25:46.0)

I have written a Labview vi to control the PRM1-Z7 and have tried to build an exe. to deploy on another computer. However the exe cannot recognise the motor on the other machine any reason for this or pointers to why this is happening? Customer Email: greg@novelpolymers.com This customer would like to be contacted.

jjurado
&nbsp(posted 2011-05-13 09:31:00.0)

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to last poster: Thank you very much for your feedback. We will modify the technical drawings to show the distances from the optical axis to the mounting holes of this rotation mount. Will will upload the drawing to the web once the changes have been made. In the meantime, please contact us at techsupport@thorlabs.com if you have any further questions or comments.

user
&nbsp(posted 2011-05-05 17:57:20.0)

Unless I am reading the drawing wrong, it seems that the AutoCad PDF for the PRM1Z8 does not have the distances from the optical axis to the mounting points labeled. This is actually the most important dimension, I think...

miguel.araque
&nbsp(posted 2011-02-10 13:14:02.0)

Hi,
We are having problems homing our stage: it just goes on spinning until we tell it to stop via APT-user. Full-stop also takes a while to reach (10 sec or so). We tried all possible combinations of limit switches/HW switches and homing directions to no avail. We tried with other TDC001 cubes, as we have three, and the problem persists.
Any feedback would we welcome.

jjurado
&nbsp(posted 2011-02-02 14:44:00.0)

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to jripoll: Thank you very much for submitting your inquiry. The BSC101 is not compatible with the PRM1Z8 rotation stage for two reasons:
(1) It is designed for stepper motor actuators.
The BDC101 is the recommended controller for high-current DC servo actuators.
(2) The high current output of the BSC/BDC series controllers exceeds the electrical input parameter of the Z8 actuators.
The recommended controller is the TDC001.
We will update our website to make this information clearer.

jripoll
&nbsp(posted 2011-02-02 05:44:47.0)

Can I control the PRM1Z8E with the high current BSC101 controller?

tor
&nbsp(posted 2011-01-10 11:40:38.0)

Response from Tor at Thorlabs to Will: The actual rotation of the stage would need to be measured independently in order to accurately determine the angular displacement from encoder counts.

willtalmadge
&nbsp(posted 2010-12-23 04:54:47.0)

In the specifications it says that there are 34,304 encoder counts per output shaft rotation. Im having trouble finding out how to convert output shaft revolutions to the stage angular displacement. Im familiar with the pitch value of 17.87. However, if I assume that is 17.87 degrees / shaft-rev I dont seem to get useful velocities in counts/sec to send to the TDC001 when instructing it to home. Plus that seems like a rather large value if I assume the shaft is a worm drive.
Ive read the LM628 documentation so Im familiar with how velocity is supposed to be calculated in counts/sample. Could someone perhaps clarify this so I can be converting velocity values is deg/sec to counts/sec in an accurate manner?

tor
&nbsp(posted 2010-11-12 16:54:42.0)

A response from Tor at Thorlabs: Thank you for your inquiry. While we have not tested this, our engineer indicates that this may be possible using MoveVelocity and stopprofiled commands. I will send command details to you directly.

steve.biedrzycki
&nbsp(posted 2010-11-11 15:06:08.0)

I need to do a sinusoidal variation between two angles. Is it possible to cycle between two positions without pausing with a non-linear velocity profile? What factors limit the cycle rate?

Thorlabs
&nbsp(posted 2010-09-23 17:47:19.0)

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to michaelorger: The PAA632 extension cable is compatible with the PRM1-Z7 rotation mount.

michaelorger
&nbsp(posted 2010-09-23 11:49:53.0)

Does the PAA632 work with the Z7 rotation mount? If not, is there an extension cable available for the Z7? Thanks

user
&nbsp(posted 2010-05-06 12:32:01.0)

A response from Oli at Thorlabs to Thomas:
Yes, Absolutely. You just need to set the limit switch settings to either ignore or home only and the display mode to continuous. Then it should work fine.

thomas.juffmann
&nbsp(posted 2010-05-06 11:49:08.0)

Hi,
can I run the prm1z8 continuously in one direction (more than one revolution?)? cheers.

user
&nbsp(posted 2010-05-05 08:41:47.0)

A response from Oliver at Thorlabs: It may be that you have not correctly configured the motor and driver in APT config, or the stage may have an error. Please feel free to contact me at techsupport.uk@thorlabs.com to disscuss the problem further.

user
&nbsp(posted 2010-05-04 18:49:04.0)

i think my problem is similar to lundeen below - i have this system and using the APT software gives unrepeatable position readouts. where can you put in a lookup table on the APT software? and can you account for this drift in the stage position? it seems like a lookup table wont solve this.

ohoward
&nbsp(posted 2009-11-30 10:50:20.0)

A response from Oliver at Thorlabs to jeff.lundeen:
The encoder output of the motor is used to give you the position output. An effective pitch that takes into account the gearing of the worm drive is used. To find the encoder count you divide the position by the pitch (17.87) and multiply the result by the encoder counts per rev (512). The encoder simply measures the rotation of the motor, not of the stage.
If you have sufficient measuring equipment you can calibrate the actual turn of the stage with the encoder count (or position output). Once you have created this lookup table APT config allows you to associate this calibration file with the stage.

jeff.lundeen
&nbsp(posted 2009-11-23 18:18:06.0)

I have the PRM1Z8 and the TDC001 controller. Does the user have access to the encoder output? How is the actual position determined? Unlike the linear motors, there is no encoder settings in the APT user software for the PRM1Z8, so it is not clear what role the encoder plays? e.g. can we calibrate the rotate vs encoder counts and then use this for more accurate movement (as is done in the linear motors)?

klee
&nbsp(posted 2009-10-26 17:42:32.0)

A response from Ken at Thorlabs to shalin.mehta: Unfortunately, we do not have any motorized rotation stage that can be used in the 60mm cage system.

shalin.mehta
&nbsp(posted 2009-10-26 04:10:16.0)

I need to use a motorized rotation mount inside a 60mm cage system. I want to mount a 1" optic in a light-path consisting of cage system and need to rotate the optic through computer. Is there a way of assembling above (or another) motorized rotation mount in 60mm cage system?
-Shalin

klee
&nbsp(posted 2009-08-12 14:34:10.0)

A response from Ken at Thorlabs to wu47: Yes, you can use LabView to control PRM1/MZ8E. There are video tutorials available on our website. http://www.thorlabs.com/tutorials/APTProgramming.cfm

wu47
&nbsp(posted 2009-08-12 13:41:37.0)

can I use labview to control PRM1/MZ8E?

jens
&nbsp(posted 2009-06-02 20:03:30.0)

A reply from Jens at Thorlabs: the 0.5 degree step size will not be a problem for the motorized PRM stage, so I am not entirely sure if you are referring to another degree of freedom like adding tip/tild in addition to the rotation. That would require a combination of the rotation stage with another element on top of it. As for the low temperature condensation could be a concern but we will not to check the requirements in detail. I will contact you directly to discuss all possible solutions.

topasnadm
&nbsp(posted 2009-06-02 10:07:25.0)

Do you have something similar to PRM1Z8 for which one can get 0.5 degree change in angle? It has to be motorized and go to low temperatures as well (approx 0F). Thank you.

Tyler
&nbsp(posted 2008-10-22 11:11:20.0)

A response from Tyler at Thorlabs to odd.england: The PRM1-Z7 is DC motor driven rotation stage and requires a DC Servo Motor driver with a computer interface in order to be controlled by a computer. The TDC001 is one of our DC servo motor drivers. It has a USB interface that comes with a fully functional graphical software interface and Active X controls for those that want to program their own interface. For assistance choosing the best driver for your application please contact our technical support team. Thank you for your interest in our motorized rotation stage.

odd.england
&nbsp(posted 2008-10-21 14:14:36.0)

hello, I was wondering if the PRM1-Z7 hooks directly up to a PC and if i were to hook it up to a PC, would i need the Servo Motor Controller? cheers.

Laurie
&nbsp(posted 2008-10-07 09:04:10.0)

Response from Laurie at Thorlabs to milan.vrastil: Thank you for your feedback. We have measured the accuracy of the angular position of the PRM1 to be 0.1 degrees. By this, we mean the sum of all uncertainties of the device including stiction/friction, influence of elastic deformations, windup and design resolution (not including backlash since we are only considering one direction of rotation).

milan.vrastil
&nbsp(posted 2008-09-30 00:48:00.0)

What is accuracy of angular position of PRM1?

Tyler
&nbsp(posted 2008-06-19 11:15:30.0)

A response from Tyler at Thorlabs to lsandstrom: The linear play of the rotating platform in the housing is +/- 0.00075" (19 um) worst case and +/-0.00025" (6um)best case. As a result the worst case eccentricity of a spot located one inch from the center of rotation would be 0.00075. I hope that this answers your question; if not, please post again. We appreciate your feedback.

lsandstrom
&nbsp(posted 2008-06-17 07:12:15.0)

What is the PRM1 wobble and eccentricity specification?

Rotation Mount and Stage Selection Guide

Thorlabs offers a wide variety of manual and motorized rotation mounts and stages. Rotation mounts are designed with an inner bore to mount a Ø1/2", Ø1", or Ø2" optic, while rotation stages are designed with mounting taps to attach a variety of components or systems. Motorized options are powered by a DC Servo motor, 2 phase stepper motor, or an Elliptec™ resonant piezo motor. Each offers 360° of continuous rotation.

Motorized Rotation Stage/Mount

The central aperture of the PRM1Z8 rotation mount has a standard SM1 internal thread, for compatibility with a range of optics. Two SM1RR retaining rings are included to secure optical components in this aperture. The rotating platform features four 4-40 holes, four 8-32 (M4) holes and four 6-32 (M3) holes to allow for the addition of accessories. Please see the Mounting tab for all of the possible mounting options.

The PRM1Z8 is supplied with 19.6" (0.5 m) of cable. An 8 ft (2.5 m) extension cable (PAA632) is available separately.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey

Motorized Rotation Stage/Mount and Controller

The KPRM1E and KPRM1E/M bundles include a PRM1Z8 or PRM1/MZ8 Motorized Rotation Mount, respectively, with a KDC101 K-Cube™ DC Servo Motor Controller. This controller is an ideal companion for smooth, continuous motion that can be automated via the software interface. The bundle ships complete with a KPS101 power supply, which includes a location-specific adapter.

The KPRM1E(/M) is supplied with 19.6" (0.5 m) of cable. An 8 ft (2.5 m) extension cable (PAA632) is available separately.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey

PRM1Z8 Adapter Plates

The rotating platform features several accessories. The central aperture has a standard SM1 internal thread, for compatibility with a range of optics. Four #4-40 holes are provided so that the PRM1Z8 can be incorporated into a cage system. Additional threaded mounting holes allow for the addition of accessories or post mounting.

The PRM1SP1 (PRM1SP1/M) accessory plate is fixed to the rotating top plate by two 6-32UNC (M3) bolts (supplied), allowing any of Thorlabs' standard 3 mm tongue & groove accessories (optic mounts, diode holders, fiber chucks etc) to be used. Using this plate, the total deck height becomes 1.1" (28 mm).

The PRM1SP3 base plate is similar to the PRM1SP2 described opposite, but delivers a total deck height of 2.26" (57.5 mm). If used together with the PRM1SP1 described above, the deck height is 2.43" (62.5 mm) and is compatibe with our range of 3-axis stages (NanoMax, MicroBlock, and RollerBlock).

The PRM1SP2 base plate is used to provide a more stable installation solution, with a deck height of 1.15" (29 mm). If used together with the PRM1SP1 described above, the deck height is 1.32" (34 mm).

Thorlabs' KDC101 K-Cube Brushed DC Motor Controller provides local and computerized control of a single motor axis. It features a top-mounted control panel with a velocity wheel that supports four-speed bidirectional control with forward and reverse jogging as well as position presets. A backlit digital display is also included that can have the backlit dimmed or turned off using the top-panel menu options. The front of the unit contains two bidirectional trigger ports that can be used to read a 5 V external logic signal or output a 5 V logic signal to control external equipment. Each port can be independently configured.

The KPS101 power supply outputs +15 VDC at up to 2.4 A and can power a single K-Cube or T-Cube with a 3.5 mm jack. It plugs into a standard wall outlet.

The KCH301 and KCH601 USB Controller Hubs each consist of two parts: the hub, which can support up to three (KCH301) or six (KCH601) K-Cubes or T-Cubes, and a power supply that plugs into a standard wall outlet. The hub draws a maximum current of 10 A; please verify that the cubes being used do not require a total current of more than 10 A. In addition, the hub provides USB connectivity to any docked K-Cube or T-Cube through a single USB connection.